Ysgol Gynradd Maesincla is situated in the Maesincla area of the town of Caernarfon, Gwynedd. Welsh is the main medium of the school’s life and work. There are currently 269 pupils on roll, including 30 part-time nursery age pupils. A little over 31% of pupils are eligible for free school meals. This is significantly higher than the national percentage of 18%. Eighty four per cent (84%) of pupils come from Welsh-speaking homes and very few are from ethnic minority backgrounds. The school has identified slightly over 34% of its pupils as having additional learning needs, which is significantly higher than the national percentage of 21%. The school was last inspected in June 2011 and the current headteacher was appointed to the post in January 2014. Further information is available from the Welsh Government My Local School website at the link below. http://mylocalschool.wales.gov.uk/Schools/SchoolSearch?lang=en 1 A report on Ysgol Gynradd Maesincla February 2019 Summary Ysgol Maesincla is a happy, hardworking and highly inclusive community, where pupils make good progress from their starting points. Pupils speak Welsh with each other completely naturally in all aspects of the school’s life and work. Most pupils of all abilities make good progress in their literacy, numeracy and information and communication technology (ICT) skills, and apply them confidently in an engaging range of contexts across the curriculum. Teachers and support staff work together effectively to ensure interesting and challenging learning experiences for pupils. Provision for pupils with additional learning needs is excellent. Nurture classes respond highly effectively to pupils’ emotional and behavioural needs. As a result, all pupils feel part of the school’s family and participate fully in their learning. The headteacher and other leaders set an excellent strategic direction for the school. They have established very thorough and robust procedures, which have been embedded successfully, and which lead to positive developments in provision. All staff have a very sound understanding of their role in implementing the school’s development priorities and ensuring improvement. Inspection area Judgement Standards Good Wellbeing and attitudes to learning Good Teaching and learning experiences Good Care, support and guidance Excellent Leadership and management Excellent 2 A report on Ysgol Gynradd Maesincla February 2019 Recommendations R1 Improve pupils’ higher order reading skills R2 Provide regular opportunities for pupils to make decisions about how and what they learn What happens next Estyn will invite Ysgol Gynradd Maesincla to prepare a case study on its work in relation to the effect of nurture classes on pupils’ development, to be disseminated on Estyn’s website.